Gateway Games: Segun Gbayi charges athletes to embrace spirit of sportsmanship

As this year’s National Sports Festival begins in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, former chairman, Ogun State Judo Association, Segun Gbayi, has called on athletes participating in the to games to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and strive to be the best.

Gbayi, a former member of the Nigerian Judo Federation and current member of Anderson Judo, Brampton, Canada, in a statement made available to journalists on Friday, specifically directed his charge to all Judokas from all the 36 States in Nigeria with emphasis on Ogun State to put up a sterling performance.

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The Founder and Chairman, Gbayi Judo Foundation, noted that his love for remains uncompromised and he is willing to support athletes who perform creditably well at the games.

The statement reads in parts:”As hostilities begin at this year’s National Sports Festival in Ogun State, I want all athletes to engage in acts that will portray them being of good characters.

“They should refrain from getting involved in doping as engaging in such act will only lead their career astray and a shameful end.

“I also want to use this opportunity to call on officials who will be in charge of various officiating at different venues to be very fair in the discharge of their duties as their decisions and indecisions go a long way in affecting the athletes positively and negatively.”

While commending the Ogun State government for the hosting of the games, Gbayi said:”Ogun State has been known for its love for Sports development.

“We hosted the National Sports Festival in the year 2006 and it was a very huge success. I have no doubt in my mind that this one will also witness resounding success.

“I commend governor Dapo Abiodun and his team for the efforts put in so far, while I’m optimistic that the games will be hitch-free to the envy of previous hosts and a template for subsequent hosts.”